Mark Russell Named New AGC Endowed Chair

Mark Russell has been named the new Associated General Contractors (AGC) Endowed Chair in Construction Management and Construction Engineering at the University of New Mexico. Russell has been teaching at UNM since Fall 2011 and has more than 20 years of experience in the construction industry with expertise in sustainable construction and building rating systems.

Russell succeeds Professor Jerry Rounds, who is retiring from UNM and was the AGC Endowed Chair for 12 years. As AGC Endowed Chair, Rounds helped the UNM Department of Civil Engineering develop the Master's of Construction Management degree and the Ph.D. degree in Civil Engineering with a focus on Construction Engineering.

The AGC Endowed Chair is responsible for vision and leadership of the Construction Engineering and Construction Management academic programs as well as research and industry outreach. The Building Branch of the Associated General Contractors established the AGC Endowed Chair in 1984, creating a partnership between New Mexico AGC members and UNM that has inspired creative ideas and provided a talented workforce for the construction industry.

"Jerry expanded our construction engineering and construction management programs and strengthened our network with industry," says John Stormont, chair, Department of Civil Engineering. "Mark will build on these accomplishments and brings a wealth of experience and expertise in sustainability. The Department is grateful to AGC for their vision and foresight in funding the endowed chair position."

Russell obtained his Ph.D. in Design, Construction and Planning from the University of Florida. After 20 years in the US Navy, in which half of the time was with the Civil Engineer Corps, he served as a contract manager with URS International, Inc. based in Frankfurt, Germany.

Russell is a Licensed Professional Engineer, a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional, a Green Globes Assessor and a BREEAM International Assessor. With his diverse experience in building rating systems, he was selected to be the regional chair of the US Green Building Council's New Mexico Higher Education Programs. In addition, he coaches the LEED student team for the annual Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) competition.

At UNM, Russell teaches Senior Design, Construction Structures, Construction Scheduling and Cost Estimating. Additionally, he will be developing classes in Building Mechanical Electrical Systems and Construction Material Techniques. Russell's research emphasis includes analysis based on life cycle assessments with a particular interest in carbon foot-printing.